“Ms. Nakai possesses a deep understanding of the issues most important to Arizona’s Tribal Nations,” stated Brewer. “I am proud to add her to my staff, and I know her legal expertise and experience will serve my administration and the people of Arizona well.”

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Nakai worked as an associate at the law firm Lewis and Roca, where her practice focused primarily on government regulation, infrastructure and resource development. She has represented tribes across the country on a wide range of legal and economic development issues during her time with Lewis and Roca and with the American Indian College Fund, devoted to education issues confronting Indian Country. Her extensive legal career has included a clerkship with Chief Judge Mary M. Schroeder at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, as well as experience with the Arizona Supreme Court Staff Attorneys’ Office, the Arizona District Court and as a law clerk to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Legal Department.

Before her legal career, Ms. Nakai worked as a television reporter, anchor and producer in both Oklahoma City and Minneapolis/St. Paul. She has also served as Media Coordinator for the National Marrow Donor Program and Communications Director for the American Indian College Fund and the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning. She is very active in the community, boasting membership of many associations and boards, including serving as Commissioner of the Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, President of the Phoenix Indian Center Board of Directors and as a founding member of the Arizona Native American Bar Association.

Originally from Oklahoma, Ms. Nakai received her Juris Doctor from Arizona State University and has been published in several journals and magazines.